Crisco: Senate makes change regarding future of 11th grade testing

HARTFORD - The state Senate approved a bipartisan plan today to unburden high school juniors from controversial standardized testing. 

The proposal would end the requirement that 11^th-grade students participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) testing. Instead, students would be able to take a nationally recognized college readiness exam. 

“High school students are practically under siege from testing,” said state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. D-Woodbridge. 

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco

“This bill will help us to relieve some of the pressure our students are facing and allow them to focus on their classes. Standardized testing must have a benefit for our students. This bill will help make sure that is the case moving forward.”

“This is a common sense proposal that will open doors of opportunity for Connecticut’s students,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven. “At the same time, we can ease the burden of test-preparation and test-taking on students and teachers alike. I want to thank Sen. Slossberg, Rep. Fleischmann, and the ranking members of the Education Committee for their work on this proposal.”

“By providing a state sponsored, nationally recognized college readiness test in place of the SBAC, we are opening the door to college for students, relieving the stress of over-testing, restoring instruction time to the classroom, and providing a financial benefit to families and towns alike. This is a win for everyone,” said state Sen. Gayle S. Slossberg, D-Milford, Senate Chair of the Education Committee.

SBAC is a Common Core Standards-aligned set of tests that Connecticut administers to students from third grade through eighth grade, and once in high school. Although they are designed as untimed tests, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium estimates that 11^th-graders will spend a total of eight and one half hours taking English language arts and mathematics assessments.

Legislators have heard objections from principals, teachers, parents, and students regarding the SBAC tests. The most strenuous opposition has focused on the onerous testing burden placed on high school juniors. 

In addition to the SBAC test, many juniors also take the SAT, Advanced Placement Exams, and class finals all within a window of just over a month. 

A survey of more than 1,100 K-12 teachers in Connecticut taken between May 8-15 found that more than 90 percent of participating teachers felt “the time it took to complete the SBAC test caused student frustration and apathy,” and just under 90 percent agreed that SBAC test preparation “takes away significant time and resources from teaching and learning in my classroom.”

More than 97 percent of participating teachers did not agree that SBAC is a useful indicator of school effectiveness, and over 96 percent agreed with the statement, “I generally view the SBAC as an obstacle for my students to overcome”.

There have been vocal pockets of opposition to the test. In one Seattle high school, 100 percent of 11^th-graders opted out of the test in April. Closer to home, Greenwich High School 11^th-graders are facing what some students describe as a marathon, according to the Greenwich Time. 

Many juniors signed up to take the SATs May 2. This was followed by two weeks of Advanced Placement Exams. Some students took the SAT for a second time, and some for the first, on June 6. One week later, final exams took place between June 12 and June 18. 

Legislators noted the advantages of providing a state sponsored entrance exam, helping open the door to college for every student. Thirteen Connecticut school districts currently provide the SAT to students for free.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Valley Regional Adult Education to hold graduation in Shelton

SHELTON - The 2015 Valley Regional Adult Education graduation ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. June 3 at the Lafayette School complex, 54 Grove St.


This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.

Congratulations to all the graduates!

Valley Community Foundation releases snapshot of quality of life indicators

The Valley Community Foundation Wednesday announced the release of The Valley Now: A 2015 Snapshot, representing the start of a multi-year process that will culminate in the creation of a community index for the Lower Naugatuck Valley towns in 2016.

 

The snapshot report includes a brief summary of changing demographics and population growth, health indicators, employment rates, education and student achievement, income and accessibility to basic needs among residents in the region.

“This snapshot report represents the start of an ongoing commitment to learn the changing needs and opportunities in the Valley,” said Sharon Closius, President & CEO of the Valley Community Foundation. 

“A comprehensive community index will be published next year, which will include the data of a statewide wellbeing survey conducted by DataHaven and the Siena College Research Institute. Your answers are critical in helping us paint an accurate picture of the Valley. Please answer the call.”

Snapshot focuses on range of factors
Last year, VCF hosted an advisory committee of key stakeholders and nonprofit organizations to discuss critical focus areas affecting the Valley and to define the scope of this snapshot report, which expands upon the 2010 Valley CARES Quality of Life Report. This snapshot looks at a range of factors affecting quality of life and wellbeing in the region, which includes the five towns served by VCF: Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton, as well as Beacon Falls and Naugatuck. 

The addition of these two towns, which were included in the region as part of the All-American City Award in 2000, will help provide continuity and a historical comparison to the study of economic, health and education trends within the region. 

The full 12-page snapshot report is available at www.valleyfoundation.org.

According to the preliminary snapshot report, the Lower Naugatuck Valley has seen a rise in overall population since 2000, but a decline in families with young children and the under-18 population in general. 

Just over half of all Valley adults report being in good health. Performance of the Valley’s economy is in line with the rest of the state, and the report indicates that the Valley has a strong middle class. A third of all Valley residents, however, struggle to afford basic needs such as food and housing, and student achievement varies widely between schools in the region. 

Valley residents who follow VCF on its Facebook and Twitter accounts will get the latest information from the 2015 Valley Snapshot report and ongoing survey.

Data collection for this snapshot was provided by DataHaven, a nonprofit with a 25-year history of collecting, sharing, and interpreting public data for effective decision-making throughout Greater New Haven and Connecticut. 

DataHaven, in conjunction with the Siena College Research Institute, will be conducting a statewide survey over the next few months. Data from its 2015 Community Wellbeing Survey will be featured in the Valley’s community index report, which will be published in 2016. Residents are encouraged to pick up the phone (calls will come from a 518 area code) and take the time to answer the survey questions, as each participant will contribute to high-quality, meaningful data collection.

About Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of grant dollars each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grant making, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. 

To learn more about how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, contact Sharon Closius at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162. Follow VCF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vcfct and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vcf_ct.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Pedal for PCRC fundraiser Sunday to feature new activities

SHELTON  -The Parent Child Resource Center is well on its way to a new goal of raising $80,000 for children’s behavioral health programs and services that provide life-changing services to children and families in Connecticut with “Pedal for PCRC,” which will be held Sunday at PerkinElmer, 710 Bridgeport Ave. 

Free kids’ bicycle helmets will be distributed to the first 250 kids who register. 

The 4th annual “Pedal for PCRC” has new features including a Kids Ride, Walk, Health Fair, “Activity Spree” (https://www.facebook.com/ActivitySpree), and Cycling Expo. Although this event has grown exponentially each year, there has previously been no chance for PCRC clients and general community members to participate in PCRC’s signature event. 

Now, this event is open with opportunities for people of all ages.  

The Kids Ride and Walk have a two-mile course located in the secured upper parking lot at PerkinElmer, which is monitored by hired security and volunteers. This allows a chance for kids to ride their bikes and support PCRC, with their parents or guardians able to walk or ride with them. 

The course is open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for entry at any time during this period. 
There is a $25 entry fee for the Kids Ride & Walk.

In support of the Kids Ride and Health Fair, the Valley Parish Nurse Program of Griffin Hospital (http://www.griffinhealth.org/About-Us/Community-Initiatives-Outreach-Benefit/Valley-Parish-Nurse-Program.aspx) has donated helmets to PCRC to allow free helmets for the first 250 kids who register. 
This includes a proper helmet fitting, helmet care, and safety education. 
Trained individuals and groups will assist the nurses with the helmet fitting that expects a large turnout with the variety of activities available for kids and their families at the fundraiser. 

'Activity Spree' planned

The Health Fair and “Activity Spree” are open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Health Fair will be offering free health screenings, including free vision screenings for children and adults by Health Eyes Vision Alliance and complimentary spinal screenings by Southern Connecticut Chiropractic. 
The Fair will also be attended by ConnectiCare, Valley Parish Nurse Program, COSTCO, YMCA, Hawley Lane Shoes, and more TBA. 

The “Activity Spree” offers more than 15 activities, workshops, and demonstrations for all ages, including yoga, face painting, drum circles, a Mickey Mouse bounce house, and marketing technology demonstrations. 

The list of providers to date includes The Kidnetic Clubhouse (Shelton’s upcoming Children’s Museum), BringtheHoopla, CrazyFun Facepainting and Body Art, JumpBunch Naugatuck, Phoenix Yoga Studio, Cloud Media Marketing, Fred Astaire of Orange, Housatonic Valley Crossfit, TITLE Boxing Club of Milford, and Mark Zarrillo, rhythm-based music for meditation and inspiration. 
General admission for the Spree is $10.

“Pedal for PCRC” will have the three usual Street Rides, including 15, 30 and 62-mile loops, with the largest route traveling throughout Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton and Southbury. 
The registration fee for a rider is $25; we ask that riders raise $75 through individual fundraising, such as gaining support from friends and family. 
PCRC has documents that may assist you with your fundraising. Contact Veronica Parsloe at 203-954-0543 x130 or vparsloe@LNPVCRC.org for outlines of routes and details about riding.

Event Website & Registration: http://pcrc.kintera.org/pedal2015

Alternate Registration: https://www.bikereg.com/pedal-for-pcrc-2015

The ride will conclude with a “Thank You” BBQ by David M. Grant Caterers and beer provided by Two Roads Brewing, Southport Brewing and Black Hog Brewing. Food and beverages will be sold at cost for all guests who are not riding.

We would like to thank our sponsors: PerkinElmer, Ned Miller Agency, Griffin Hospital, Fletcher-Thompson, The Exchange Club of Shelton, Sikorsky, DHL&S, Robinson+Cole, Qualifacts, Better Packages, People’s United Bank, Aquarion, DiMatteo Insurance Group, and Pereira Engineering, Devil’s Gear Bike Shop of New Haven, WPLR, and E Strait Design.  

Please follow our social media:

Facebook: Pedal for PCRC

Facebook: PCRC’s Activity Spree

Twitter: @PedalforPCRC

Google +: Parent Child Resource Center

For information on sponsoring, riding, walking, running a workshop or demonstration at the “Activity Spree,” or exhibiting at our Health Fair, contact Veronica Parsloe, 203-954-0543 ext. 130 or Vparsloe@LNVPCRC.org.

This is a press release from PCRC, the leading provider of behavioral health services to children and families in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Programs, including the Child Guidance Clinic, Valley Kids Belong programs, Child First, Triple P In-Home services, Early Childhood Consultation Partnership, Therapeutic Mentoring Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, and the Prevention through Early Intervention Program, help children and their families so that they may develop to their fullest potential.

Local artist's work on display at Kellogg Center in Derby

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced Wednesday that artwork by professional graphic designer and local artist Barbara Rzasa is on display at the Kellogg Environmental Center. 

Come and enjoy the beauty of local wildflowers, birds and still life pastels and watercolors. 
The free exhibition is open for viewing Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. until June 12.

Rzasa obtained a B.S. degree in graphic design from Southern Connecticut State University. Along with graphic design, she fostered a passion for fine art painting.

Rzasa studied pastel painting technique under the direction of Eilene Smith of Prospect, Connecticut, for eight years and concentrated on painting nature-based themes. 
Her love of nature and art also inspired her to take courses in botanical watercolor illustration through Yale Peabody Museum. 
To view more of Barbara’s graphic and fine art visit her blog at
http://bjr-design.blogspot.com/

The Kellogg Environmental Center, operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave. 
For more information and directions to the Center, call 203-734-2513 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.


This is a press release from DEEP.

Therapy dog program calendar at Griffin Hospital in Derby raises $1,450

Tess, a registered therapy dog with the Griffin Hospital P.A.W.S. program, and her companion Inge Van ark, pose with a gift bag designed to bring comfort to the families of patients admitted to Griffin’s Hospice program. The bags were purchased through the 2015 PAWS Calendar fundraiser. / Submitted photo

DERBY - The therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital has helped bring comfort to patients for years. Thanks to a recent fundraiser, the canines are now bringing extra comfort to the families of terminally ill patients.

People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital, sold calendars featuring photos of its canine caregivers this winter and raised $1,450.

The funds were used to purchase care bags for the caregivers of hospice patients. The bags include items to help relieve stress and provide comfort, including poetry and aromatics.

“We’re so thankful to everyone who purchased a calendar in support of this cause,” said Ruth Tuccio, P.A.W.S. Coordinator at Griffin Hospital. “Providing extra support and care is at the heart of our program and we wanted to make sure families of our most special patients receive a little extra comfort when they need it most.”

Founded in 1996 with just one greyhound, P.A.W.S. provides therapy dog visits to patients at Griffin Hospital and rehabilitation centers to provide companionship and help decrease anxiety. The program now has 16 certified therapy animal and companion teams with dogs ranging in size from a Shih Tzu to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The Griffin Hospital Hospice program brings comfort, dignity, self-respect and tranquility to patients in the final stages of life. 
The program offers trained staff that work collaboratively with family members to discuss care and respond to factors that may influence the patient’s physical and mental wellbeing and provides comfort items for the patient and the family members.

For more information, contact P.A.W.S. Program Coordinator Ruth Tuccio, 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Author to address happiness club at Shelton community

SHELTON - The community is invited to Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community at 6 p.m. June 11 for a meeting of the Smiles Within A Village Happiness Club. 
Author Emily Filloramo will present “Be Unforgettable: How to Permanently Erase the Negative Self Talk So You Can Unleash Your Best Self.” 

Filloramo will discuss the cutting-edge, little-known, and powerful modality that can help to permanently erase the critical voices that hold you back from living the life you want. 

She will be sharing insight from her book, which addresses nutrition, self-image, psychology, self-actualization and spirituality. 
All are welcome to the presentation; the meeting is free and open to the public.

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village campus at 580 Long Hill Ave.


For more information or to RSVP, contact Mary Ann Milano, 203-225-5018 or by e-mail at mamilano@umh.org.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.